Marc Blake

Nevertheless, what makes a sitcom great are characters who provoke the phrase ‘I know someone just like that’.

The fresh idea – the one that elevates him above other more traditional sitcom bosses – is that he so desperately wants to fit in and be one of the lads. Plus he thinks he’s a comedian, or rather a ‘chilled-out entertainer’ – a master stroke of self-delusion. These lead roles are archetypes. Originals. Characters that sear themselves onto our retinas.

In this regard, the element of familiarity is important. People need to warm to this strange person in their living room. They need time to learn about their faults and foibles and to love and hate them, which is why it takes time for sitcom to bed in

What are your personal top ten? Why? Do you like silliness or smart retorts? Do you prefer US humour to British? Do your favourites contain oodles of visual gags or do they produce a sly grin?

Now think about the sitcoms you don’t like. Some of these may be in the top 40 as well. Try to come up with three. What makes you turn off? Sometimes it’s a good idea to know what you don’t want to do